Antiviral therapies for respiratory viral infections in lung transplant patients.

Because the lung is in constant contact with the environment, infections with respiratory viruses are a common and potentially serious complication of lung transplantation. Infection can cause direct effects, typically manifested as respiratory symptoms and changes in pulmonary function, and indirect effects, such as an enhanced risk of developing chronic allograft rejection. Infections with all of the identified respiratory viruses have been associated with infection in lung transplant recipients. Specific antiviral options have been studied for influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, and investigational agents are in development for other respiratory viruses. This paper will review the epidemiology and management strategies of respiratory viral infections in lung transplant recipients.